The shooters at KGP Photography have some new shots of an updated ’15 Ford Expedition EL prototype running on the streets of Dearborn.

These new prototypes have hit public roads just as GM's fullsize SUVs have gone—or about are about to go—fully official. While GM's new fullsize SUVs are based on the recently overhauled Silverado and Sierra pickups, the platform changes to the Navigator and its Ford Expedition platform-mate are rumored to be less extensive. How much of the all-new F-150 will find its way into Ford's big SUVs is unclear, but it appears that Ford Motor Co. is keeping investment levels lower on their big 'utes, compared to GM's new Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban models.

On the Navigator prototypes, Lincoln will incorporate a version of the new corporate split grille, building on the look started with the Lincoln MKS and the upcoming MKC entry-level crossover. It appears that everything in front of the A-pillar will receive a redesign, while the Navigator's midsection seems to carry over the existing styling (except for reworked lower trim from the mid-door, down). More changes appear to be in store for the rear, between the C- and D-pillars, with restyled taillights. The interior is also heavily camouflaged, so a new dashboard design integrating Lincoln's latest electronics is almost certainly in store.

Sources say that the Navigator and Expedition will get an Ecoboost engine to help modernize the drivetrain and aid in achieving better fuel economy.

There had been reports suggesting that Ford might drop the big-daddy Expedition EL when the ’15 update hits the market, but the prototype captured here seems to contradict those reports. The appearance of these updated Expedition EL and Navigator L prototypes suggest that the Suburban and Yukon XL models will continue to have a cross-town rival.

Rumor is that Lincoln could rename the big SUV as the Lincoln MKN, but these prototypes seem to dispel those rumors. One of the prototypes actually still had a piece of paper taped to the door announcing it as the "Navigator," and the taped-over badging also seems to be of Navigator-length.

The revamped Navigator is expected to arrive late next year, as a ’15 model. Whether the changes will be enough to be market-relevant is a big question, especially given GM's head start with a slew of new entries on the horizon.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

	The purpose of the SEMA Garage is to assist members with product development by providing a resource containing tools and hosting events designed to reduce the time needed to go from prototype to final product.

One of the newest benefits available to SEMA manufacturing members is the SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center located adjacent to the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. The garage is designed as a resource to help members shorten the process of getting products from the drawing board to store shelves.

As a member resource, one of the functions of the SEMA Garage is to serve as the main location for most of SEMA's Measuring Sessions—a SEMA and OEM partnership that provides members with access to upcoming vehicles, most often, before they hit dealerships. Members take their turns scanning, examining and measuring the vehicles for accurate, hands-on specs used to begin prototyping. In the past, Measuring Sessions required manufacturers to travel to various locations, typically within a two-day timeframe, and carry the gear needed to record accurate vehicle data.

With the SEMA Garage, vehicles can stay in one location for a longer period of time, stretching the time-constrained measuring sessions from days to weeks, in most cases. Not only are vehicles available to members longer, the new suite of tools, work benches and scanners will also help alleviate the need for members to transport a large amount of equipment.

To date, the value of the tools and equipment included in the garage is nearly $2 million. One of latest items added to the SEMA Garage is a Faro arm, also called a coordinate-measuring machine, along with some PolyWorks software. The newly added device can be used to scan complete vehicles and individual parts.

The SEMA Garage is stocked with a host of tools and equipment to help members obtain vehicle specs and data, eliminating the need for members to transport extra gear.

As an example of some of the measuring sessions and special events that have taken place at the SEMA Garage include the first-ever Mega Measuring Session in July, which featured five popular vehicles for members to preview—the Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Ford Focus ST, Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger ST.

	The SEMA Garage recently hosted a Honda Measuring Session that featured, for the first time ever, three motorcycles and an ATV.

The facility was also recently the home to another first—the Honda/Acura Measuring Session featuring ’14 versions of the Honda Grom, CTX700 and Goldwing F6B motorcycles, the Pioneer SXS all-terrain vehicle and Odyssey minivan. The ’14 Acura MDX midsize SUV and RLX mid-luxury sedan were also available for members to explore.

The SEMA Garage is also serving as the installation hub for the exclusive WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150. All work for the build program will be done at the SEMA Garage. Foose Design and WD-40 Co.—through a partnership with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts—will have leading SEMA manufacturers working alongside underprivileged teens and young adults to complete the truck to auction off for the benefit of SEMA Cares charities.

SEMA members are encouraged to take advantage of this industry-owned facility for product development, fitment, research and much more. For more information about the SEMA Garage—Industry Innovations Center, including upcoming events and availability, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org. 

	The purpose of the SEMA Garage is to assist members with product development by providing a resource containing tools and hosting events designed to reduce the time needed to go from prototype to final product.

One of the newest benefits available to SEMA manufacturing members is the SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center located adjacent to the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. The garage is designed as a resource to help members shorten the process of getting products from the drawing board to store shelves.

As a member resource, one of the functions of the SEMA Garage is to serve as the main location for most of SEMA's Measuring Sessions—a SEMA and OEM partnership that provides members with access to upcoming vehicles, most often, before they hit dealerships. Members take their turns scanning, examining and measuring the vehicles for accurate, hands-on specs used to begin prototyping. In the past, Measuring Sessions required manufacturers to travel to various locations, typically within a two-day timeframe, and carry the gear needed to record accurate vehicle data.

With the SEMA Garage, vehicles can stay in one location for a longer period of time, stretching the time-constrained measuring sessions from days to weeks, in most cases. Not only are vehicles available to members longer, the new suite of tools, work benches and scanners will also help alleviate the need for members to transport a large amount of equipment.

To date, the value of the tools and equipment included in the garage is nearly $2 million. One of latest items added to the SEMA Garage is a Faro arm, also called a coordinate-measuring machine, along with some PolyWorks software. The newly added device can be used to scan complete vehicles and individual parts.

The SEMA Garage is stocked with a host of tools and equipment to help members obtain vehicle specs and data, eliminating the need for members to transport extra gear.

As an example of some of the measuring sessions and special events that have taken place at the SEMA Garage include the first-ever Mega Measuring Session in July, which featured five popular vehicles for members to preview—the Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Ford Focus ST, Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger ST.

	The SEMA Garage recently hosted a Honda Measuring Session that featured, for the first time ever, three motorcycles and an ATV.

The facility was also recently the home to another first—the Honda/Acura Measuring Session featuring ’14 versions of the Honda Grom, CTX700 and Goldwing F6B motorcycles, the Pioneer SXS all-terrain vehicle and Odyssey minivan. The ’14 Acura MDX midsize SUV and RLX mid-luxury sedan were also available for members to explore.

The SEMA Garage is also serving as the installation hub for the exclusive WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150. All work for the build program will be done at the SEMA Garage. Foose Design and WD-40 Co.—through a partnership with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts—will have leading SEMA manufacturers working alongside underprivileged teens and young adults to complete the truck to auction off for the benefit of SEMA Cares charities.

SEMA members are encouraged to take advantage of this industry-owned facility for product development, fitment, research and much more. For more information about the SEMA Garage—Industry Innovations Center, including upcoming events and availability, contact Mike Spagnola at mikes@sema.org. 

By Chad Simon

		Having been named SEMA's 2011 Person of the Year, John Menzler was highly regarded in the automotive aftermarket industry.

John Menzler passed away October 3, 2013, after battling cancer.

“John was the SEMA Person of the Year two years ago because he cared so much about the industry and channeled that into action that made a positive difference,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA's president and CEO. “He was a spirited, funny and an enormously dedicated guy who will be deeply missed.”

In addition to being honored as SEMA's 2011 Person of the Year, Menzler, of the COMP Performance Group, was a longtime SEMA member as well as a Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) and Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Select Committee member and mentor to many in the industry.

“Being named SEMA Person of the Year is the highlight of my automotive career; it still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Menzler said upon receiving the award. “Nobody sets out to become Person of the Year, and you don’t do it for the accolades; you do it to help the industry. It’s all about giving back. I’ve been involved in the councils for 20 years; it’s the backbone of what SEMA is about. I always say that SEMA is the greatest organization in the world, and they also put on a Show.”

Having been involved in the automotive aftermarket for several decades, Menzler was the winner of the Mentor of the Year award in 2010. He also served on the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Select Committee from the council’s inception in 1995 until June 2010. He chaired the council from 2004–2006 and, when his tenure as immediate past chair/advisor was over in 2006, he immediately ran and was re-elected to the Select Committee. He is the only recipient of the MPMC Industry Recognition Award, presented to him in 2000, and he was inducted into the MPMC Hall of Fame in 2010. Menzler also owns a SEMA-member company called Inventive Marketing/MotoFeet.

Services for Menzler will be held Friday, October 18, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Greenwood Memory Lawn, Serenity Chapel (719 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009). A remembrance of Menzler's life will follow at his home after the services.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Menzler's name to the SEMA Scholarship Fund or Victory Junction.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

LANGDON, J. FORCE, COUGHLIN, SMITH SECURE WINS AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins at the recently completed Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. For Langdon, this was his category-leading sixth win of the season and keeps his points lead over Doug Kalitta.

"We have a good grasp on things, but there’s two races left and anything can happen,” Langdon said. “The competition level is so tough right now, so you can’t take anything for granted."

In Funny Car, Force took the points lead during qualifying and raced to the event win from the No. 1 qualifying position. "What we have right now is consistency,” Force said. “We had to beat good competition [Sunday]. We stayed with our strategy and stayed with what we knew we could do.”

Pro Stock's Coughlin piloted his JEGS.com Dodge Avenger to his fourth win of the season and the points lead for the first time this year. “In our case, with the way things have played out, we made a pretty good jump, and we’re happy to have the points lead,” Coughlin said. “We’re racing hard, and we’re racing smart, and that’s how we raced this weekend.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Smith continued his late season surge by winning his second consecutive event and the third of the season. “This thing’s not over yet,” Smith said. “I’m still looking at every round as just 20 points. But we’ll be strong, I guarantee you, in Vegas.”

For a full story log onto www.NHRA.com.

COUGHLIN TAKES POINTS LEAD IN PRO STOCK: Four-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin not only won the event at Maple Grove Raceway, but also moved to the points lead. For Coughlin, who sat out the 2011 season, it marks the first time since 2009 that he has led the Pro Stock points. He has a 45-point lead over the driver who knocked Coughlin out of the points lead in 2009, Mike Edwards. "I'm an optimistic person, but we've got a lot of racing left to do, Coughlin said. "All across the Pro Stock horizon, they are [preparing] for a great Vegas run. We'd love to say this thing is all but over, but there are a lot of rounds left."

FORCE RACES TO FUNNY CAR POINTS LEAD: John Force raced to his second consecutive win, third of the season and in doing so, took the Funny Car points lead from Matt Hagan. Force hasn't led the Funny Car points since the season-opening event in Pomona in 2012, and this season, he was as low in points as 12th leaving the event in Atlanta. Four final-round appearances in the last nine races has put the NHRA icon in position to win his 16th championship.

“This is a good race car. [Crew chiefs] Jimmy Prock and Danny DeGennaro have things really going," Force said. "Robert [Hight] told me that this was a great team when I came over here. What is most exciting is the teamwork. The other crew chiefs are all trying to win but they are also helping us when we are headed to the semi-finals or the finals. They were up on the starting line rooting for me and you could see the sincerity. Back at the trailer, the crew chiefs are going over the computers and Robert is showing me the videos so I can see anything that can help me on staging.”

LANGDON AND SMITH BUILD UPON POINTS LEADS: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) continue their march towards 2013 championships by adding wins to their impressive seasons. Langdon raced to his sixth win of the season in nine final-round appearances when he defeated 2012 Top Fuel champion Antron Brown. Langdon has led the points following the past 11 of 14 events and is 83 points ahead of Doug Kalitta, who he defeated in the semifinals on Sunday.

“Going into the semifinals, that was a huge pressure situation," Langdon said. "As a driver, I’m just trying to calm myself down. This Al-Anabi team knows how to win championships, and I’m just trying to do the best I can. My mentality is just don’t mess anything up.”

Smith, the 2007 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, took over the points lead in St. Louis after his win there and built upon the lead with his third win of the year and a 125-point margin over Hector Arana Jr. "This thing's not over yet," Smith said. "Until they give me that check, that jacket and that trophy, I'm still looking at every round as 20 points. That is what we have to take, each race, each round. We go do good in Vegas and I'd like to stand in that championship podium with my dad and be the first time a father-son has ever won a championship. He has already done it and I'm trying my best to do it."

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 24–27: The NHRA Toyota Nationals is the penultimate race of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the championship battles will be tight as the season comes to a close. Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Kraweic (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending event champions and will again be top contenders during the weekend. One of the largest autograph sessions of the year will take place at the Freemont Street Experience October 24, with many of the top stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, November 7–10: The 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comes to a conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California, November 7–10. Courtney Force will attempt to bookend her season with wins and end her stunning sophmore season. The champions will be crowned during the weekend. Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins in 2012, and will attempt to end their seasons on a high note.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“In 2010, I walked away with the points lead in Reading by 65 points and John [Force] came back and spanked me, so if he can do it we can do it. He just has to have one bad race. You can’t give up the fight until it is over. We are out here working hard and I know they are too, but I think our team is the team to beat. John has been running strong but it’s hard to stay that way a long time. I’m looking for the ol’ boy to fall off and we will pick up the slack when he does. We are out here making some runs and tightening some things up. We are hungry; you don’t get many chances to win these championships very often in your career. No matter what happens at the end of the day, I know these boys are working hard and so am I."

—Matt Hagan during a test session at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianpolis on losing the points lead to John Force and the final two races of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

500,000: Number of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series enthusiasts that are fans of the NHRA Facebook page. The NHRA Twitter account also has more than 50,000 followers as well. Both social media channels are excellent ways to keep up with all the up-to-date information on the racers, events, and an inside look at the fastest form of motorsports in the world.

DID YOU KNOW…

DEJORIA RACES TO DEFEAT BREAST CANCER DURING NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS: Alexis DeJoria will be looking to capture the NHRA Toyota Nationals Wally as well as leading the charge to battle breast cancer. DeJoria has collaborated with Nevada Health Centers to provide free mammograms at the event to female fans in a 'mammovan,' a mobile mammography unit housed within a semi-truck that will be placed behind the Alexis DeJoria pit area. Any woman over 40, regardless of her health insurance, may visit the mammovan for a free screening.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to team up with NVHC and provide this service to our fans. As one of the few females in the auto-racing industry, it’s important to me to be a vocal spokesperson for the fight against breast cancer,” DeJoria said. “At any given race, you see just as many female fans as you do males. People don’t typically think of auto racing as a sport that attracts a large female audience, but it does, which is why I was so intent on doing something like this.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

LANGDON, J. FORCE, COUGHLIN, SMITH SECURE WINS AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins at the recently completed Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. For Langdon, this was his category-leading sixth win of the season and keeps his points lead over Doug Kalitta.

"We have a good grasp on things, but there’s two races left and anything can happen,” Langdon said. “The competition level is so tough right now, so you can’t take anything for granted."

In Funny Car, Force took the points lead during qualifying and raced to the event win from the No. 1 qualifying position. "What we have right now is consistency,” Force said. “We had to beat good competition [Sunday]. We stayed with our strategy and stayed with what we knew we could do.”

Pro Stock's Coughlin piloted his JEGS.com Dodge Avenger to his fourth win of the season and the points lead for the first time this year. “In our case, with the way things have played out, we made a pretty good jump, and we’re happy to have the points lead,” Coughlin said. “We’re racing hard, and we’re racing smart, and that’s how we raced this weekend.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Smith continued his late season surge by winning his second consecutive event and the third of the season. “This thing’s not over yet,” Smith said. “I’m still looking at every round as just 20 points. But we’ll be strong, I guarantee you, in Vegas.”

For a full story log onto www.NHRA.com.

COUGHLIN TAKES POINTS LEAD IN PRO STOCK: Four-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin not only won the event at Maple Grove Raceway, but also moved to the points lead. For Coughlin, who sat out the 2011 season, it marks the first time since 2009 that he has led the Pro Stock points. He has a 45-point lead over the driver who knocked Coughlin out of the points lead in 2009, Mike Edwards. "I'm an optimistic person, but we've got a lot of racing left to do, Coughlin said. "All across the Pro Stock horizon, they are [preparing] for a great Vegas run. We'd love to say this thing is all but over, but there are a lot of rounds left."

FORCE RACES TO FUNNY CAR POINTS LEAD: John Force raced to his second consecutive win, third of the season and in doing so, took the Funny Car points lead from Matt Hagan. Force hasn't led the Funny Car points since the season-opening event in Pomona in 2012, and this season, he was as low in points as 12th leaving the event in Atlanta. Four final-round appearances in the last nine races has put the NHRA icon in position to win his 16th championship.

“This is a good race car. [Crew chiefs] Jimmy Prock and Danny DeGennaro have things really going," Force said. "Robert [Hight] told me that this was a great team when I came over here. What is most exciting is the teamwork. The other crew chiefs are all trying to win but they are also helping us when we are headed to the semi-finals or the finals. They were up on the starting line rooting for me and you could see the sincerity. Back at the trailer, the crew chiefs are going over the computers and Robert is showing me the videos so I can see anything that can help me on staging.”

LANGDON AND SMITH BUILD UPON POINTS LEADS: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) continue their march towards 2013 championships by adding wins to their impressive seasons. Langdon raced to his sixth win of the season in nine final-round appearances when he defeated 2012 Top Fuel champion Antron Brown. Langdon has led the points following the past 11 of 14 events and is 83 points ahead of Doug Kalitta, who he defeated in the semifinals on Sunday.

“Going into the semifinals, that was a huge pressure situation," Langdon said. "As a driver, I’m just trying to calm myself down. This Al-Anabi team knows how to win championships, and I’m just trying to do the best I can. My mentality is just don’t mess anything up.”

Smith, the 2007 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, took over the points lead in St. Louis after his win there and built upon the lead with his third win of the year and a 125-point margin over Hector Arana Jr. "This thing's not over yet," Smith said. "Until they give me that check, that jacket and that trophy, I'm still looking at every round as 20 points. That is what we have to take, each race, each round. We go do good in Vegas and I'd like to stand in that championship podium with my dad and be the first time a father-son has ever won a championship. He has already done it and I'm trying my best to do it."

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 24–27: The NHRA Toyota Nationals is the penultimate race of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the championship battles will be tight as the season comes to a close. Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Kraweic (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending event champions and will again be top contenders during the weekend. One of the largest autograph sessions of the year will take place at the Freemont Street Experience October 24, with many of the top stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, November 7–10: The 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comes to a conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California, November 7–10. Courtney Force will attempt to bookend her season with wins and end her stunning sophmore season. The champions will be crowned during the weekend. Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins in 2012, and will attempt to end their seasons on a high note.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“In 2010, I walked away with the points lead in Reading by 65 points and John [Force] came back and spanked me, so if he can do it we can do it. He just has to have one bad race. You can’t give up the fight until it is over. We are out here working hard and I know they are too, but I think our team is the team to beat. John has been running strong but it’s hard to stay that way a long time. I’m looking for the ol’ boy to fall off and we will pick up the slack when he does. We are out here making some runs and tightening some things up. We are hungry; you don’t get many chances to win these championships very often in your career. No matter what happens at the end of the day, I know these boys are working hard and so am I."

—Matt Hagan during a test session at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianpolis on losing the points lead to John Force and the final two races of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

500,000: Number of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series enthusiasts that are fans of the NHRA Facebook page. The NHRA Twitter account also has more than 50,000 followers as well. Both social media channels are excellent ways to keep up with all the up-to-date information on the racers, events, and an inside look at the fastest form of motorsports in the world.

DID YOU KNOW…

DEJORIA RACES TO DEFEAT BREAST CANCER DURING NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS: Alexis DeJoria will be looking to capture the NHRA Toyota Nationals Wally as well as leading the charge to battle breast cancer. DeJoria has collaborated with Nevada Health Centers to provide free mammograms at the event to female fans in a 'mammovan,' a mobile mammography unit housed within a semi-truck that will be placed behind the Alexis DeJoria pit area. Any woman over 40, regardless of her health insurance, may visit the mammovan for a free screening.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to team up with NVHC and provide this service to our fans. As one of the few females in the auto-racing industry, it’s important to me to be a vocal spokesperson for the fight against breast cancer,” DeJoria said. “At any given race, you see just as many female fans as you do males. People don’t typically think of auto racing as a sport that attracts a large female audience, but it does, which is why I was so intent on doing something like this.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

LANGDON, J. FORCE, COUGHLIN, SMITH SECURE WINS AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins at the recently completed Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. For Langdon, this was his category-leading sixth win of the season and keeps his points lead over Doug Kalitta.

"We have a good grasp on things, but there’s two races left and anything can happen,” Langdon said. “The competition level is so tough right now, so you can’t take anything for granted."

In Funny Car, Force took the points lead during qualifying and raced to the event win from the No. 1 qualifying position. "What we have right now is consistency,” Force said. “We had to beat good competition [Sunday]. We stayed with our strategy and stayed with what we knew we could do.”

Pro Stock's Coughlin piloted his JEGS.com Dodge Avenger to his fourth win of the season and the points lead for the first time this year. “In our case, with the way things have played out, we made a pretty good jump, and we’re happy to have the points lead,” Coughlin said. “We’re racing hard, and we’re racing smart, and that’s how we raced this weekend.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Smith continued his late season surge by winning his second consecutive event and the third of the season. “This thing’s not over yet,” Smith said. “I’m still looking at every round as just 20 points. But we’ll be strong, I guarantee you, in Vegas.”

For a full story log onto www.NHRA.com.

COUGHLIN TAKES POINTS LEAD IN PRO STOCK: Four-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin not only won the event at Maple Grove Raceway, but also moved to the points lead. For Coughlin, who sat out the 2011 season, it marks the first time since 2009 that he has led the Pro Stock points. He has a 45-point lead over the driver who knocked Coughlin out of the points lead in 2009, Mike Edwards. "I'm an optimistic person, but we've got a lot of racing left to do, Coughlin said. "All across the Pro Stock horizon, they are [preparing] for a great Vegas run. We'd love to say this thing is all but over, but there are a lot of rounds left."

FORCE RACES TO FUNNY CAR POINTS LEAD: John Force raced to his second consecutive win, third of the season and in doing so, took the Funny Car points lead from Matt Hagan. Force hasn't led the Funny Car points since the season-opening event in Pomona in 2012, and this season, he was as low in points as 12th leaving the event in Atlanta. Four final-round appearances in the last nine races has put the NHRA icon in position to win his 16th championship.

“This is a good race car. [Crew chiefs] Jimmy Prock and Danny DeGennaro have things really going," Force said. "Robert [Hight] told me that this was a great team when I came over here. What is most exciting is the teamwork. The other crew chiefs are all trying to win but they are also helping us when we are headed to the semi-finals or the finals. They were up on the starting line rooting for me and you could see the sincerity. Back at the trailer, the crew chiefs are going over the computers and Robert is showing me the videos so I can see anything that can help me on staging.”

LANGDON AND SMITH BUILD UPON POINTS LEADS: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) continue their march towards 2013 championships by adding wins to their impressive seasons. Langdon raced to his sixth win of the season in nine final-round appearances when he defeated 2012 Top Fuel champion Antron Brown. Langdon has led the points following the past 11 of 14 events and is 83 points ahead of Doug Kalitta, who he defeated in the semifinals on Sunday.

“Going into the semifinals, that was a huge pressure situation," Langdon said. "As a driver, I’m just trying to calm myself down. This Al-Anabi team knows how to win championships, and I’m just trying to do the best I can. My mentality is just don’t mess anything up.”

Smith, the 2007 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, took over the points lead in St. Louis after his win there and built upon the lead with his third win of the year and a 125-point margin over Hector Arana Jr. "This thing's not over yet," Smith said. "Until they give me that check, that jacket and that trophy, I'm still looking at every round as 20 points. That is what we have to take, each race, each round. We go do good in Vegas and I'd like to stand in that championship podium with my dad and be the first time a father-son has ever won a championship. He has already done it and I'm trying my best to do it."

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 24–27: The NHRA Toyota Nationals is the penultimate race of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the championship battles will be tight as the season comes to a close. Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Kraweic (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending event champions and will again be top contenders during the weekend. One of the largest autograph sessions of the year will take place at the Freemont Street Experience October 24, with many of the top stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, November 7–10: The 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comes to a conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California, November 7–10. Courtney Force will attempt to bookend her season with wins and end her stunning sophmore season. The champions will be crowned during the weekend. Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins in 2012, and will attempt to end their seasons on a high note.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“In 2010, I walked away with the points lead in Reading by 65 points and John [Force] came back and spanked me, so if he can do it we can do it. He just has to have one bad race. You can’t give up the fight until it is over. We are out here working hard and I know they are too, but I think our team is the team to beat. John has been running strong but it’s hard to stay that way a long time. I’m looking for the ol’ boy to fall off and we will pick up the slack when he does. We are out here making some runs and tightening some things up. We are hungry; you don’t get many chances to win these championships very often in your career. No matter what happens at the end of the day, I know these boys are working hard and so am I."

—Matt Hagan during a test session at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianpolis on losing the points lead to John Force and the final two races of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

500,000: Number of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series enthusiasts that are fans of the NHRA Facebook page. The NHRA Twitter account also has more than 50,000 followers as well. Both social media channels are excellent ways to keep up with all the up-to-date information on the racers, events, and an inside look at the fastest form of motorsports in the world.

DID YOU KNOW…

DEJORIA RACES TO DEFEAT BREAST CANCER DURING NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS: Alexis DeJoria will be looking to capture the NHRA Toyota Nationals Wally as well as leading the charge to battle breast cancer. DeJoria has collaborated with Nevada Health Centers to provide free mammograms at the event to female fans in a 'mammovan,' a mobile mammography unit housed within a semi-truck that will be placed behind the Alexis DeJoria pit area. Any woman over 40, regardless of her health insurance, may visit the mammovan for a free screening.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to team up with NVHC and provide this service to our fans. As one of the few females in the auto-racing industry, it’s important to me to be a vocal spokesperson for the fight against breast cancer,” DeJoria said. “At any given race, you see just as many female fans as you do males. People don’t typically think of auto racing as a sport that attracts a large female audience, but it does, which is why I was so intent on doing something like this.”

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation that would require headlights on motor vehicles to display a “white light” without defining the term has been introduced in the Ohio State Senate. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration. Under federal law, all headlamps are required to comply with the color requirements contained in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 

Under the lighting standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that can be perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the federal boundaries that define "white." It is illegal for a state to enact a law that would conflict with a federal standard. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation that would require headlights on motor vehicles to display a “white light” without defining the term has been introduced in the Ohio State Senate. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration. Under federal law, all headlamps are required to comply with the color requirements contained in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 

Under the lighting standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that can be perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the federal boundaries that define "white." It is illegal for a state to enact a law that would conflict with a federal standard. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation that would require headlights on motor vehicles to display a “white light” without defining the term has been introduced in the Ohio State Senate. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration. Under federal law, all headlamps are required to comply with the color requirements contained in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 

Under the lighting standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that can be perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the federal boundaries that define "white." It is illegal for a state to enact a law that would conflict with a federal standard. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.